Life-boat.



A. A. UNRUH.

LIFE BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJ G, 1914.

i1 1 1 9 77 Panzented Dec. 1, 191 1 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. A UNRUH.

LIFE BOAT.

APPLICATION FILED I'EBJIS, 1914.

1",1v19,770. Patented Dec. 1, 1914 3 SHBETBSHEET 2.

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V'HE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOm-LlTHO" WASHINGTON, D. C

A. A. UNRUH.

LIFE BOAT..

APPLICATION FILED FEBJG, 1914.

1,1 19,770. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

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ALBERT ATWOOD UNRUI-I, 0F PORTLAND, OREGON.

LIFE-BOAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed February 16, 1914. Serial No. 818,993.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT A'rwoon UNRUH, a citizen of the United States. residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Boats; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

hiy invention relates primarily to life saving apparatus and especially tothat class of the latter which are constructed on the principles of a floating buoy.

One object of the invention is to provide a ballasted and floating buoy adapted to be transported from place to place, to be carried on shipboard and to be launched in case of emergency, the said apparatus being designed with special reference to safety, comfort, convenience, seaworthiness and thorough protection from the elements.

Another object of my invention is to provide a life boat of this character with a unique toilet arrangement and ventilating means.

With these and other obiects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are designated by similar reference numerals: Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved life boat; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of'Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the interior arrangement of my improved boat; the top of the latter being removed; Fig. 5 is a transverse horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a fragmental vertical section illustrating a portion of my improved ventilator.

My invention, in its present embodiment, comprises a metallic shell to which a particular conformation is given. In construction, it is preferably constructed in two parts, a conical top 1 and an inverted truncated cone shaped body or. base 2, although it will be understood that I do not limit myself to'this particular construction, as it could just as readily be formed in one part. When the shell is constructed in two parts,

however, the top .1, has .its outer edges brought into overlapping engagement with those of the base 2, and secured to the latter by any suitable fastening meansso as to form the water tight'joint 3.

To provide a receptacle for fresh water, there is a deck 4 spaced from the bottom of base 2, which forms a compartment or tank 5. Bvthis arrangement, when the tank 5 is filled with fresh water, the latter, in addition to furnishing a drinking supply for the occupants of the boat, also acts as a ballast for the'latter. A pump 5 is connected with the tank 5 whereby the contents of the latter may be pumped therefrom.

lVithin the base 2 and extending around the sides of the same are a series of seats 6', preferably formed of wood, and suitably supported by the brackets 7. The seats 6 are arranged one above the plane of the other and form a series of steps extend ng from the deck 4 to the upper edge of' the base 2. The space between the lower surface of the seats or steps and the sides of the base 2 can-conveniently be utilized for the storage of food or other necessities. For the provision of an additional fresh water receptacle 8. I entirely inclose the space formed by the' lowermost ste thus forming a reservoir 8 which I provide with the faucet 9. The reservoir 8 is filled through an opening 10' formed in the seat, said opening being closed by a suitable cap 11. i

As the launching of a life boat usually takes place amid great excitement. those rescued are apt to be unceremoniously tumabout 16 inches apart so that one person can be comfortably seated between each pair ofv rails. Owing to the conical formation of the base 2, it will be seen that the rails diverge therefore, to maintain a uniform space of 16 inches for each person,a second series of hand rails 13 are secured to the .andadjacent their divergent fiends:

sides of the base, intermediate the rails v By the foregoing, it will be seen that each occupant of the boat is provided with a set of hand rails which can be grasped when the boat is in rough water. As an additional precaution against possible injury to the passengers, a series of straps 12 are fastened at one end to the rear of seats 6, and so arranged that one strap will be disposed between each pair of hand rails. The free ends of the straps 12 carry hooks 13" which engage the eyes 14- secured to the rear of each seat 6, opposite the attached ends of straps 12 as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Dur ing the launching of the boat the straps 12' are passed across the laps of each person and the hooks 13 brought into engagement with the eyes 14, making it impossible for a passenger to be thrown from his seat. When the utilization of the strap is no longer necessary the hook 13 can be engaged with one of the hand rails as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Access to the interior oi the boat may be had through the openings 14: in the top 2. these openings are closed bv the outwardly swinging doors 15 which latter are held in closed watertight position by such suitable locking means as are generally employed to retain doors of this character in locked position. Light for the interior of the boat is admitted through the dead lights 16 formed around the apex of the top 1.

In order that the interior of the boat may have proper ventilation, I provide the top 1 with a centrally arranged ventilator having its outer end provided with an adjustable cap which can be operated from the interior of the boat to open or close the ventilator according to outside conditions, that is if the water is exceedingly rough, then the cap is locked in closed position to prevent any possibility of the sea entering the boat. but as soon as the storm abates, the cap can be raised so as to give the necessary ventilation.

In accordance with the foregoing, 1 form the top 1 with the centrally disposed tubular projection 17 having its outer end provided with a cap 18'. Extending around the outer edges of the tube 17, is a downwardly and outwardly projecting flange 19, which acts both as a water shed and a seat for the cap 18. To raise and lower the cap in the manner hereinbefore mentioned, an operating rod 20 which passes through the center of tube 17 is centrally connected at one end to the underside of cap 18' and at the opposite end to the center of the lever 21 pivotally connected as at 22 to the inner side of the top, adjacent the ventilating opening therein. To maintain the rod in central position with the tube 17 ,1 employ guides 23, d sposed within tube 17, each having therein a central opening through which therrod 20. passes. ;;As itnis intended that the cap 18 should be normally open, a spring 24 is placed around rod 20 between the upper guide 23 and the undersurface of the cap 18. After the lever 24 has been actuated to draw the cap to a closed position, owing to the spring 24:, it will be necessary to lock said lever in its actuated position, so I therefore secure to the undersurface of the top 2, a depending block 25 having therein a notch 26 to receive the outer end of said lever. Dead lights 27 are also formed in the upper end of the tube 17, and positioned in back of the lights are electric signal lamps 28 whose current is supplied by the storage battery 29 conveniently disposed under one of the seats 6. Tackle receiving guards 30 are fastened to the top of tube 17, whereby my improved boat can be readily launched or placed on shipboard.

To segregate those in command from the rescued and to facilitate the issuing of orders, as well as to furnish a toilet compartment for the convenience of the passengers, ll provide a bridge 31 supported on the upper end of the hollow standard 32 which is centrally disposed Within the body 2. The lower open end of the standard 32 passes through deck 4; and communicates with the exterior of the body 2 giving the sea access to the interior of the standard. On the upper end of the standard is disposed an excrement receptacle 33 having the usual movable seat 3%, the latter having a right angularly projecting arm 35, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Within the standard 32, below the normal waterline of the boat, is a butterfly valve 36, carrying the weight 37 whereby the valve will be automatically dropped to closed posi tion. This valve carries an operating crank arm 37 which is connected by a chain 38 to the projecting arm 35 on seat '34. By this construction, it will be apparent when the seat 34 is lowered, the valve 36 will be opened and vice versa. This arrangement permits the use of the excrement receptacle without any possibility of the water ascending the standard 32 and overflowing on the passengers.

A wire netting 11 extending from the outer edge of the bridge to the top 1, prevents those on the bridge from being thrown oil onto the other passengers in the body of the boat, by the rolling of the vessel. 1n

have provided a life boat that can be easily carried on ship boardand quickly launched,

one. which-"can. remain. at 'seasam indefinite period, that is absolutely watertight and equipped with every convenience.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the claimed invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a life boat, the combination of a hollow inverted truncated cone shaped base, a conical shaped top secured thereto, a plurality of compartment seats arranged one above the other within said base, an upright standard centrally disposed within the latter, a support aflixed to its upper end, bracing members extending from the sides of said base to said support, said members carrying steps whereby access may be had to the support, a centrally arranged and vertical projecting tubular ventilator carried by said top, a cap forming a closure for the open end of said ventilator and means to raise and lower said cap.

2. In a life boat, the combination of a hollow inverted truncated cone shaped base, a conical shaped top secured thereto, a centrally arranged and upwardly projecting hollow standard disposed within said base, the lower open end thereof communicating with the exterior of the latter, an excrement receptacle disposed on the upper end of said standard, a casing around said receptacle, and a support disposed on the upper portion of said standard.

3. In a life boat, the combination of a hollow inverted truncated cone shaped base, a conical top secured thereto, a centrally arranged and upwardly projecting hollow standard disposed within said base, the lower open end threof communicating with the exterior of the base, a support on the upper portion of said standard, an excrement receptacle disposed on the upper open end of said standard, a movable seat on said rceptacle, a self-closing valve disposed within said standard below the normal waterline of said base, and means connecting said valve and movable seat, whereby when the latter is lowered, the former will be opened to permit the water to ascend therein.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses. Y

ALBERT ATWOOD UNRUH. Witnesses:

L. J. BECKETT,

W. WV. DUGAN, J r.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C." 

